Jean Riddell

Can Shamanic Journeying techniques be used to obtain knowledge on the healing properties of herbs?

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to determine whether shamanism could be used to help determine the medicinal use of herbs. During the study Vervain dried herb was tasted blind by two groups. The first group were herbal students, who drank a cup of tea and then answered a questionnaire based on their thoughts and experiences. The second group undertook shamanic journeys after drinking a cup of tea, asking the "spirit world" for information on the healing properties of the herb, and whom it could help. This information was then collated using a questionnaire. The data was analysed using qualitative methodologies, and the results from each group were compared to each other and to the existing knowledge of the plant.

Both groups identified a variety of applications for the herb, with the shamanic group recognising a wider range of possible uses including balancing and calming effects on the emotions, topical applications and for regulating the menstrual cycle. The uses of Vervain suggested by the herbal group were focused mainly on the nervine actions of the plant but also included cooling, astringent, analgesic, antispasmodic and detoxifying actions.The majority of the uses mentioned by both groups were also identified during a literature review. Some of the other details not identified during the background reading, could be extrapolated from the References.

As most of the uses suggested during the study were congruent with the background research, it was concluded that shamanic journeying could be used to identify therapeutic uses of herbs.